Coming Up in the Village...

To take a masterclass (and get access to the archive of past masterclasses) join Clown Spirit Village for the monthly investment that works for you (cancel any time):

$29
$49
$69

Holy Fool 

 with DAVID BRIDEL

Explore the mystical magical world of the Fool and the role of this ridiculous and beautiful character in life and art.

Meet the stories of Holy Fools from history and literature, from St Francis of Assisi to Ted Lasso, and put yourself in their shoes!

Through a blend of practical exercises and personal evocations David will help you explore the qualities that make the Fool so extraordinary: doubt, curiosity, radical acceptance, humility, and the courage to speak truth through folly.

The Fool is part of the rich tapestry of clowning. Can you find the Holy Fool in you?

David Bridel, Founding and Artistic Director of The Clown School, brings decades of experience on stage, screen, and in classrooms around the world. He has guided countless performers, helping them uncover depth, joy, and authenticity in their craft. In this workshop, he shows how the Fool can illuminate truth while celebrating the delightfully absurd.

Whether you are a performer, storyteller, or simply curious, The Holy Fool invites you to uncover the wisdom hidden in laughter, uncertainty, and play. Embrace your inner Fool, open yourself to radical possibility, and discover how absurdity, humility, and humor can transform your perspective—and perhaps even your life.

When Is It?  

SATURDAY December 13th
9am (PST), 12pm (EST), 5pm (UK), 6pm (EU)
(The class will last approx 2.5 hours) 

 

Where is it?

Zoom. All Clown Spirit Masterclasses are online.
(We only work with teachers who already have extensive experience of teaching their work online)

 

How Do I Join?

  • Become a CLOWN SPIRIT VILLAGER for 1 month
  • You choose whether to pay US$29, US$49 or US$69 (see the criteria for self-selection)
  • Your membership will give you access not only to the masterclass but to the full archive of past masterclasses, weekly coaching calls and much more.
  • If one masterclass is enough for you, cancel your CLOWN SPIRIT VILLAGE membership at any time (no commitment).
  • >>FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CLOWN SPIRIT VILLAGE.

The Alchemy of the Troubadour Fool:

Play, Presence, Connection

with ANGELA HALVORSEN BOGO

Being love is not soft — it is radical. It takes courage to show up fully, to stay open in the chaos, to choose connection when fear would close us down. The Troubadour Fool brings this courage into the public square, turning ordinary streets into places of meeting and metamorphosis. In this workshop, we practice the alchemy of presence — remembering that when we shift how we are, we begin to shift the world itself.

When Is It? 

SATURDAY January 10th
9am (PST), 12pm (EST), 5pm (UK), 6pm (EU)
(The class will last approx 2.5 hours) 

 

Where is it?

Zoom. All Clown Spirit Masterclasses are online.
(We only work with teachers who already have extensive experience of teaching their work online)

 

How Do I Join?

  • Become a CLOWN SPIRIT VILLAGER for 1 month
  • You choose whether to pay US$29, US$49 or US$69 (see the criteria for self-selection)
  • Your membership will give you access not only to the masterclass but to the full archive of past masterclasses, weekly coaching calls and much more.
  • If one masterclass is enough for you, cancel your CLOWN SPIRIT VILLAGE membership at any time (no commitment).
  • >>FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CLOWN SPIRIT VILLAGE.

 

The Teachers...

About David

About Angela

David Bridel is the Founding and Artistic Director of The Clown School, and an artist, scholar, author, and educator whose work bridges theatre, film, and education. For more than thirty years, he has taught clown, mask, movement, and performance, with students now appearing in leading film and television roles.

David has taught at NYU, UCLA, CalArts, and SUNY Purchase, and internationally in Iran, Brazil, Australia, China, Turkey, Austria, Romania, and the UK. He served as Clown Specialist on Dancing With the Stars (ABC), and as Movement Director for Center Theatre Group’s The School of Night at the Mark Taper Forum, earning an Entertainment Weekly Award. His commedia-inspired choreography for William Friedkin’s Ariadne Auf Naxos at Los Angeles Opera was also widely praised.

David’s broader work includes directing opera, musical theatre, and classical drama worldwide. He co-taught The Presence of the Clown with David Shiner and hosted Philippe Gaulier at The Clown School. His books Clowns: In Conversation and Send In The Clowns: Humanitarian Clowning in Crisis Zones are published by Routledge UK, with Commedia dell’Arte: Contemporary Practitioners forthcoming.

Angela Halvorsen Bogo is a Transformational Play Facilitator, Storyteller, Troubadour, Retreat Leader, Therapeutic Clown, Coach, as well as Founder of Renaissance of Troubadours, Festival of the Fool and We-Play.

Angela's is a life woven from play and purpose.

She began with improvised theatre in 1972. She learnt hospitality in Italy. Went to Circus School in England. Studied clown, fool and singing in Scotland and England. Became apprenticed to Duncan Williamson, Master Storyteller of the Scottish Travelling People. Travelled the world for thirty years performing and teaching. Is a specialist clown with dementia patients. Works in organizations, health care, education, culture, spiritual and personal development. She is a coach for creatives and an Advanced practitioner of Social Presencing Theatre. She wrote A Winter’s Tale in 2023, an epic in 26 video storytelling episodes.

"For over 30 years, I've dedicated myself to one unwavering vision: a world where people are free to play, connect, and contribute their unique gifts to a vibrant, thriving world."

The Next 6 Months of Masterclasses...

What Participants Are Saying...

Deb Rich

Clown Spirit is a remarkable resource for meeting and conversing with master clowns from around the globe. The access to masterclasses on a monthly basis is beyond my wildest dreams come true. Today's class with Jeff Raz was eye opening and heart opening on so many levels. Masterful teaching of the inner workings of clowning. Thank you Barnaby for building the extraordinary Clown Spirit!

Robin Eriksson

The Masterclass series has been pure magic. It's hard to put into words how transformative it is to be a part of it and all it offers. The practices and wisdom shared in each one is a gift in itself; compound the workshops and it is truly a winfall! I am so grateful for the constant inspiration and encouragement, and for what I am learning about myself and clowning. Did I mention, Clown Spirit is M.A.G.I.C.? 

Brian Sutherland

 

Just took this amazing class thanks to Barnaby King! I highly recommend doing some of the Master classes. I can’t believe how much play we got to do in this workshop with the amazing Joe Dieffenbacher 🤡 Thanks to both of you. One of the best zoom Classes yet!

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